Trial By Fire
The Daughters of Mystra
#
The road to the forest of Ellesmera, Duo discovered, was a path less traveled. It was more narrow, more treacherous, than the main roads. But at least the dangers were those of nature, and not of man. Nobody traveled these roads, so bandits were few and far between.
But Duo couldn't find monotony in the days. It was only a week into their journey, and every turn presented Duo with a new fascinating discovery. Most of his discoveries, though, he had to keep to himself. Close observation revealed so many little tid-bits about his companions. Trowa, for instance, was in some way related to the current ruler of Ellesmera. Quatre was, in some way, tied to the Ellesmeran culture- in some way other than Trowa, that is. Duo wasn't quite sure how or why, but he could tell that Quatre at least mildly resented it.
And Wufei. Now, Wufei was an enigma that Duo just couldn't understand. Had that first little spark of attraction meant nothing at all? Duo'd been sure that Wufei liked him. Or, at least liked his body. There was little one could do to hide such obvious physical reaction. And Duo wouldn't be adverse to... testing the waters. Wufei was brash and quick to loose his temper, but he was often kind and gentle. He had a sparkling wit that matched Duo's own, and was even more surprisingly... more scholar than warrior.
So, Duo spent his time in the bouncing cart contemplating an enigma he wouldn't mind unraveling. Until.
"Stop," Quatre urged, pulling on the reigns and bringing Sandrock and Zero to a halt. "People ahead. Around the bend. A camp."
Trowa silently pulled his cloak's hood up- though even his eyes were quiet human now, and Duo stuffed his recognizable braid down under his own cloak.
"How many? Friend or foe?"
"At least twenty... and I'm not sure. There's at least one fairly strong magic user among them. Perhaps more. It distorts my feelings."
Another thing Duo'd learned. Quatre's empathy. He could usually feel the emotions of the people around him.
"We march on," Trowa said. "If it's foe, it's likely only bandits. They're rarely very talented."
Wufei frowned, but nodded. "I don't like the idea, but there is no way around. Perhaps they'll just let us pass. We'll keep moving through the night, without making camp."
The other's nodded. Camping near strangers was not always a bright idea.
Slowly, Quatre nudged the horses back into movement. Trowa and Wufei rode on either side and slightly ahead. And when they turned the bend... there was nothing there. No camp, nothing but trees, it seemed. Not even a campsite.
"You were saying?" Duo questioned.
"They're here," Quatre whispered. "I feel them. Nothing distinct, but they're here, somewhere."
"Enough of this," Wufei muttered. "SHOW YOURSELVES!"
He growled loudly, grabbing a piece of scrap metal that had fallen off the cart earlier that he'd placed in in his saddle bag. He chucked the scrap with precision into the area where a campsite would be expected. To his surprise, the scrap bounced back in midair, and the air beside the road shimmered, glimmered... and then changed.
In less than five seconds, no less than ten swords were up and another five bows were notched in ready to fire. The camp was settled just to the side of the road in a large clearing. Two good sized wagons, and a string of many horses, all gathered in a semi circle around a large bonfire. And many people who'd been gathered around a fire who were now nearly at their throats.
"State ye' bus'ness, vagabonds," One of the men in front growled. He was aged, wrinkled, but his eyes still held fire and spirit.. and his hand seemed expert on the handle of the hand-and-a-half sword.
"Merely passing by, friend," Quatre smiled. "We mean no harm, just travelers. I was confused as to why I knew there was a clearing here, but none appeared. I thought perhaps we were mistaken. We'll take our leave and travel on, then."
"What be warriors traveling on this road for?" Another asked.
"I could ask you the same question," Wufei snapped. "You lot don't look like fair maidens out to pick wildflowers in the hedges!"
"You spineless..."
Insults were traded. Duo almost smiled. He'd quite missed trading insults with people. There was just something... fulfilling... in making fun of people and beating them at a game they started.
"ENOUGH!" A shrill voice rang out over the clearing. "Back down, you lily-livered wet-behind-the-ears green pups! Can't you tell when you're trading insults with a Dragon?"
The whole lot of travelers fell silent, and moved aside to make way for a petite young woman. Her hair was a dark chocolate brown, and pulled up in a mass of twisted braids on her head, like a interwoven crown. Eyes dark blue and slanted in some exotic way. Skin fair, but glowing with a healthy tan. Her clothes were a classic traveling gown for nobility. A dark green outer dress over a paler blue under-dress. Both were slit up to the knees to allow for easy riding, walking, and running.
"But Mistress," one of the men said. "They're warriors, bound for Ellesmera! We can't let them pass if they..."
The woman held up a hand, stilling the comment. "Enough. Only a Blessed would be able to tell my shields were here." She smiled at the group, and Wufei swung down from the saddle.
"Well met, Master Chang Wufei of the Long clan," she said, holding out her hands. Wufei took them in his own, and gave a slight bow.
"Well met, Mistress Na-Taia Saraine," he replied, and then let the woman laugh and pull him into a hug.
"It's been much too long, Wufei," she said. "Are you and your group heading for the city?"
He nodded, and she laughed again. "Then you'll travel with us, no? Perhaps you can teach this lot a bit of manners and technique along the way." She smiled, and looked over the horses and the cart. "Healer Quatre, Lowan Trowa. I should have known!"
"Sara," Quatre chuckled. "What brings you all the way to Sanq? On the road to Ellesmera no less?"
"Business as usual, Quat," came another voice, sparkling and crystal clear. Another woman appeared beside the first. Exactly the same, only her hair was pulled into two braids left handing down past her waist, and her clothes were a mirror copy of her sisters- light on the outside, but dark underneath.
"Noraine," Quatre nodded. "Good to see you both."
"Indeed," the one called Noraine said. "I trust you beat some sense into that brother of ours?"
Quatre frowned, but shook his head. "Nothing short of an earthquake could change his stance on matters. And he'd be able to stop the earthquake before it happened.. so it's useless."
Noraine sighed. "He always was a block-head, no? But none-the-less, you must dine with us tonight, and travel with us. Safety in number, correct?"
Duo tried to place the accent, but couldn't. He figured they were probably from the Isles, though. If their slanted eyes were anything to go by. But apparently they were friends with Trowa and the others. Or at least sisters of a friend. Which was good, he supposed.
Except the mention of said brother caused Wufei to wince. Imperceptible if one wasn't looking for it, but something flashed through Wufei's eyes, and a frown flitted briefly, quickly, across his lips.
Food for thought, Duo mused. Another piece to the puzzle that was Chang Wufei... but where the piece fit- now that was the question.
#
"Orphans?"
Quatre looked at the group of children asleep already in pallets lined along the largest of the caravan's wagons.
"Yes," Saraine nodded sadly. "All from Sanq. It's a terrible place. The orphanages are full to bursting because of the petty fighting. Children are being sold as slaves. We're working with the Trinity for now. We take some of the worst off of the children, take them to the Southern Plains. They can learn a trade there, go out and earn a job like normal people. Some will probably stay on in Ellesmera, though. There's two of them showing magick abilities, but nothing strong yet. A four year old, and a eight year old."
"Too young," Noraine said. "We didn't show abilities till we were eight, and didn't come into full power until we were twelve. Neither three of us. It's getting worse, Quatre. Each generation, the onset is earlier. And there's more. So many more. Two in fifteen from one village?" She shook her head. "Ages past, there was never more than a single person in any three villages in Sanq that showed ability, and mostly it was hardly noticeable."
"The world is falling apart," Saraine whispered, letting the flap of the wagon fall back.
Quatre shook his head. "It seems that way, Sara. It truly seems that way."
"Enough with the depressing stuff. Come, Quat," Noraine said, putting on a bright smile. "We have gifts for you, Trowa, and Wufei! To thank you each for your help last spring."
"You don't need to give us things," Quatre insisted as the twins pulled him towards another cart, simultaniously waving to Wufei and Trowa as well.
"We help you because we love you," Quat said.
"You help us because it's simply your nature," Sara retorted. "And anyways, it's not very much."
"What do they have in their little minds now?" Wufei mused aloud as he and Trowa walked up.
"They're trying to give us things for the whole bandit thing last year," Quatre sighed.
"We don't need anything," Trowa said, trying to keep up with the fast pace the twins set.
"But we want to," Nora replied. "Now shut up about it. I'm sure you'll like our ideas. If not a thank you, then consider it out midsummer's gift, okay?"
"Nor..."
"Aah! Shh."
Quatre and the others fell silent under the glare from the two women, and merely stood there as they began to rummage in the cart for a certain set of bags- their own.
"Aha!" Nora said, and moments later they re-emerged from inside the wagon.
"Trowa," Nora said, handing over a quiver of arrows.
He raised an eyebrow, lifting out a single arrow. It was... plain. Dull, ordinary. There were some twenty or so arrows in the small quiver, but they were all ordinary.
"Thank you, but I do have plenty of arrows," he replied.
Sara smirked. "But how many of your arrows are magick?" She tapped the quiver. "I managed to put some of my magick on them. Believe it or not, they can go through brick without breaking and hit the target on the other side. Be careful though, it'll only go through one thing before it re-solidifies and hits something. But I trust you- you're an expert archer and I figured you'd enjoy playing with these."
Trowa's eyes widened. "I will have to try these out tomorrow. Thank you, Sara, Nora. I do like these."
"He's got a new toy now, he'll stay fascinated for hours," Quatre chuckled.
"That's why we got you this," Nora smiled. She held up a small clay jar in her hand. Quatre, curious, took the jar, and opened the lid, sniffing the odd lime green paste inside.
"Is this..."
Nora nodded. "Paste from the Riealian Orchid. Thought it might interest you."
"This stuff is impossible to find on the mainland! Healers rarely let it leave Rieal."
Sara smiled softly. "Not impossible if your a Daughter of Mystra. It pays to have connections, you know."
"Thank you," Quatre beamed. "This is amazing!"
"And for Wufei, our dearest Wufei," Sara giggled, pulling a sheathed dagger out of the pack. "Brother mentioned your old hunting knife was getting rather dull. This we also got from back home."
Wufei slide the blade from the sheath. The handle was rather plain and ordinary, simple black leather wrapped, but the blade... it gleamed beautifully, with a series of symbols etched up from the hilt.
"Genuine Riealian blue steel?" He asked, admiring the wavy blue lines in the steel, a trademark of the unique forging methods used by many of the island's iron smiths.
"Of course. Nothing less for you, Wufei." For a moment, the smile left the girl's eyes and she looked sad, pensive. "He doesn't mention you, y'know? But he thinks, and he can't hide what he thinks. Not from us."
Wufei's eyes hardened as he snapped the black back in it's sheath. "Thank you for the gift, but I have no words to say about your brother."
Nora's smile was sad. "You don't have to say anything. We can tell. He's not as cruel or heartless as you think, Wufei. He hurts, he feels, he loves... the same as us all. He just has a more difficult path to follow."
"I don't care," Wufei growled. "He used me, and hard path or not, I don't forgive or forget so easy. Good night, Saraine. Good night, Noraine. And please.. don't mention Heero Yuy to me again."
Quatre watched sadly as his friend stormed off. "What Heero did was pretty heartless, ladies," he said softly.
They only nodded. "He's not the best when it comes to figuring out his own emotions. But I think he will...one day."
#
"Rico! Head count, please. We'd like to replace the barriers, so we need to make sure everyone is within the boundaries of the camp. They won't be able to get back in if they aren't."
"Aye, Mistress." The grizzled warrior nodded, and began to count over his men, and move among the others.
"Barriers?" Duo asked, looking at Sara from his seat near the fire. "Like the one we encountered before? What kind of magic is that?"
Sara smiled sweetly at him, and he was momentarily struck that these two women were almost eerily beautiful. "That's the magic of a Daughter of Mystra."
"Mystra? Who's that?"
Sara stared blankly at him, her mouth hanging open. "You... You don't know Mystra? Mystra, Arzanth... mother and father of the great Gods and Goddesses?"
Duo blinked.
"Duo's a country bumpkin," Wufei explained, arriving with Nora. "He lived in Maxwell Monastery."
"Ah," Nora said, coming closer. "That was a shame, what happened. Father Maxwell- for someone without any powers- was a strong advocate for us."
"So is someone going to explain all of this to me? And for your information, I am NOT a country bumpkin. After the Monastery, I lived in Corlat."
Wufei chuckled. "So... you were a street-rat country bumpkin. Nothing in Corlat but farmers who couldn't make it farming. Not the most educated city, you know? Nothing to be ashamed of, though."
Duo glared at him, and Sara could almost feel the energy, the anger crackling within the brunette boy. The same energy that was springing to life in Wufei. But there was a difference. Wufei had years of experience and practice weighing down on his powers... Duo did not.
"I am not a street-rat, either, you mangy excuse for a warrior. Where'd you come from? A palace with gilded halls and marble floors?"
"Why you..." Wufei took a step forward. "Stupid, ignorant, arrogant CHILD."
"I'll give you ignorant!" Duo yelled, and Nora saw what was about to happen, but couldn't stop it. The wooden log Rico had been sitting on moments before lifted straight into the air, and she knew it would crush Wufei, if it hit with enough force. Sara screamed, and turned her head away, into Nora's shoulder. Neither one wanted to watch what they couldn't stop.
"STOP."
Duo'd felt the power surging within him, the anger fueling his magick. At the moment, all he'd wanted to do was crush the twit. Slam the log into him, break his ribs, crush his lungs. Destroy him.
But with one word, he was paralyzed. He couldn't twitch a muscle, nor even move his eyes, nor blink. He... couldn't breath. He tried, but no matter how he tried to force, his lungs couldn't expand, he throat wouldn't work... nothing. His heart beat, but slow, sluggish.
In that instant, his concentration shattered, and the log fell back to the ground with a sick thud.
Quatre walked into his view. His blond hair glimmered in the fire-light, and his eyes almost glowed with a type of power that Duo'd never seen before. He radiated strength. Macick simply rolled off him in waves.
He'd been right, Duo thought as his brain began to fog, to darken at the edges. He could feel his heartbeat want to slow. More... and more.
"Breath," Quatre commanded, and Duo's lungs almost exploded with the force of air being sucked in. Duo gasped, drinking in great gulps of air. Who was this man? Had he been right? Quatre was no simple healer...
"Duo... you must realize that when any one of us call you 'child', it is not aimed to be derogatory. You must understand that though we are but a few years older than you, we have spent our entire lives learning about and honing our abilities. Answer me this, Duo... have you ever had training on how to use your magick? On control, on limits? On simple etiquette or on the history of magick? Do you know the reasons why Trowa, Wufei fight? Why the people of the resistance fight?"
Duo shook his head, a weak 'no' coming out. He hadn't. He'd never learned anything about that. Father Maxwell had taken them in, cared for them. Taught them basic skills, reading, writing, simple math. Taught them a few guidelines about the magick community, but that was it.
Quatre nodded, as if expecting as much. "If I release the binds on you... can you keep hold of yourself, keep your anger in check?"
Duo nodded weakly, and then slumped when moments later, the rigidness in his body was released. He let himself fall to his knees, bracing himself from falling further with his hands on the ground.
"When we get to Ellesmera, I'll have Catherine assay your ability, and then Sally will teach you all you need to know in order to be a productive member of the Resistance, if you so choose."
"We can teach him, Quatre," Nora said.
"You are both skilled, Nora. But you've never had to teach a grown man about his own abilities. I should have know this would happen sooner or later. Girls, he has little control. He would be a danger to you to teach."
Sara lifted a hand. "We don't mean his ability. We can leave that to people with more experience than us. But we can certainly teach him basic history. The meaning behind the war, teach him political etiquette. Surely you don't propose we simply waste the time we have until Ellesmera with letting him just sit around?"
"Perhaps," Nora added softly, "That knowing what we are all about, where we come from will help calm his temper."
Sara's voice was not as soft as her sister's. "Perhaps you don't give him enough credit, Quatre," she said, walking over and squatting beside Duo, a hand on his shoulder. "For someone with no training, and such a strong gift within him, he's done remarkably well, I'd say."
Duo gave her a weak smile of thanks, and received a soft one in return.
Sara's fingers tightened in a gesture of comfort.
"I'll take on teaching him." She raised eyes to Quatre. "Or will you argue with the Daughters of Mystra?"
Quatre frowned, but waved a hand. "Very well."
#
Treize observed the man in front of him. So far, nothing offered had appeased the sorcerer. Not money, not land, not the promise of a score of female slaves. Nothing. But he needed the assistance of this man.
Duke Dermail was critical to his plans.
But of course... he had a point in his favor. Perhaps it was finally time to reveal it.
He'd gotten the man to follow him to the cells under the castle, where one prisoner waited.
"What do you want, Treize?" The man growled, impatient.
"I think this should quite entice you to see things in my favor," Treize smirked, and motioned for Dermail to look into the stone cell. Sitting there, on the floor, chained by both wrists and both ankles, a woman sat. Dark red hair, streaked with white, cascaded in a tangled mess around thin shoulders, falling to pile upon the dirty floor. Her face was hid behind the curtain of burnished red.
"I already told you, I don't care for pathetic girls," Dermail snarled. "I can easily find any number of much more... suitable... women to satisfy any need I have."
"Tsk, tsk," Treize shook his head. "I'd never subject this lady to your brutal desires, my lord. Take a closer look at her."
Dermail frowned, but took another step closer, inspecting the woman. Aha... barely visible through the tangled curls, dusty gold furred ears peeked out on top of her head. Her fingernails were sharpened into claws, and the hint of a tail curled around her legs where she sat.
"Ah... Lowan. Interesting. Certainly makes me rethink my estimate of her... and you. But I could easily capture a Lowan on my own."
"Still not looking close enough, Dermail," Treize tutted.
Dermail glared at the king before perusing the woman again. The woman lifted her head, cold, dark green eyes spearing him with near deadly vehemence. "Dermail of the Southern Plains," she growled, her voice raw with misuse.
Dermail barked out a laugh, happy and surprised.
"Treize... hand this one over to me, and you've got yourself a deal."
"Done," the king said quickly, smirking.
Dermail smiled, predatory and evil as he glared at the chained woman.
"Lyonesse Bloom," he purred. "It's so good to see you... alive."